Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her ninth consecutive Budget for 2026-27 financial year on February 1, a Sunday. Dressed in a bright pink Kancheepuram silk saree from Tamil Nadu, she delivered a historic first Sunday Budget, prepared in the Kartavya Bhavan, which marks a first in the history of Independent India.
The lock-in period for the Budget started on Friday after the traditional 'halwa' ceremony was completed. This allows for the printing of the Budget documents to begin.
Budget was not always printed in North Block
The current Union Budget is usually printed in the basement of the North Block in Delhi. This building contains a government press, along with the Ministry of Finance and the Home Ministry. However, this has not always been the case.
Also Read | What is Operation Kiya? Two Jaish terrorists killed in major Udhampur encounter
In 1950, the Union Budget documents were leaked from the Rashtrapati Bhavan press, where they were being printed. John Mathai was the Finance minister at the time. He reportedly faced accusations of catering to the interests of influential individuals and resigned shortly after presenting the Budget in protest against the Planning Commission, as reported by Hindustan Times.
As a result, the Budget printing process moved from Rashtrapati Bhawan to a more secure location on Minto Road.
Later, in 1980, the Budget printing process was moved again, this time to the basement of the North Block, where it still takes place today.
Current security measures
The current Budget printing process has improved with a focus on security and confidentiality. Officials involved in preparing the Budget enter a strict 'lock-in' period.
During this time, they are cut off from the outside world to maintain secrecy. They cannot use phones and can only leave once the finance minister has finished presenting the Union Budget in Parliament.
Also Read | Over 500 women reported missing in Delhi in first 15 days of 2026: Police data
According to a report by India Today, the full Budget document is printed just 24 hours before the Finance minister presents it in the Parliament.
Now in its digital era, the need for printed copies has been reduced and the Budget copies are only shared with the President, Vice-President, the Cabinet and the copy to be tabled in the Parliament, according to India Today.
Moreover, all call and visitor logs are carefully monitored.
